What are mind, body, and spirit and why is this so important?

In the many years that I have been in health care, I have seen a consistent pattern, no matter what area it is, whether in hospital wards or in my acupuncture clinic: fear-based medicine. People seek help because of a problem, and focus on how they arrived there. Most of the times we are able to redirect to find a solution, but sometimes folks do not want to learn that. There is an attachment to the original injury or emotion. When we hang on to that issue, our brain (which did not get the message that the event is long gone), responds to the intense emotion as if the event is just now occurring. The sympathetic nervous system is triggered into the fight or flight mode and we start to feel anxious, maybe sweaty and shaky, and our stomachs knot up. Our heart beat speeds up and we feel bad.

It is an accepted concept that it is impossible to feel pain and pleasure in the same intensity at the same time. That is the basis behind modern hospitals that incorporate distraction tools like massage, imagery, music and other relaxation techniques to assist in the healing of patients. By taking the focus off the offensive situation, the parasympathetic system takes over and helps lower heart rate, calm the mind, and support healing.

Mind:

The mind is just as important in wellness as the body. We can talk ourselves healthy or sick, happy or sad. Can you think of someone who insists that the world is against them? It seems that there is usually someone who is “out to get them”. That old dark cloud seems to hover persistently over them and theirs. Then there are the people who for some reason land on their feet after a crisis. The end of the story is positive, and they always seem to have enough at the end of the day. This is not a coincidence in either case; both groups have brought on what they received.

Now we don’t like to think we invited misfortune, but when we focus on it, fear it, and spend time and energy discussing it, we actually can manifest it into being. The good news is that we can make our lives richer and happier by focus, intent and expectation of goodness. Think about this. If we tell ourselves we expect positive, and anticipate it with a calm acceptance we can then indeed become positive in health, happiness and prosperity. Instead of thinking of lack of whatever, create the belief of positive and thus we can live better and happier. Fill the holes with goodness.

Body:

There is no magic bullet, vaccination or pill for health. There is simply good living. Eating healthy foods on a regular basis, getting enough (unmedicated) sleep, and getting adequate exercise and fresh air are the best ways to boost the immune system, and thus continue good health. (Did you note that I am avoiding saying to avoid disease??)

Spirit:

One of the reasons that I incorporate this discussion of mind, body and spirit is that overwhelmingly I have noticed a significant number of people who are without a spiritual base. Either they lost faith after a large event, or they became disillusioned in the religion. There are many ill folks who have no or little faith system, but few healthy ones who do not believe. Why is that?
We all know there is a difference in “religion” and “spiritual”; think about your belief. The bottom line is that there is comfort, fulfillment, and peace in having some sort of healthy faith. That in turn supports health and wellbeing. If you do not feel comforted in your faith system, look at it. Is it tolerant, loving and forgiving? Would you embrace it like a favorite sweater, or wear it like a mantle of shame or duty? If you feel good after worship, and renewed, then obviously you must be on to a good thing!

Health and Wellness:

So, as we can see, health and wellness are more than just absence of disease. It is a way of living. By taking a few steps in a different direction, we can have what we want… health AND happiness. What a goal!

Focus on Recovery of health and wellness:

Think of what you want–good health, wellness, happiness, prosperity. Think of how you feel with having these things. Think of living every day like this. Doesn’t this feel nice? By focusing on the positive aspect, and not the lack of, we can all have a better quality of life. When you get distracted and feeling poorly, come back to center and remember how good you feel when you are happy. Let the parasympathetic system take over and help you balance. You can regain the wellness you once had.

Enjoy!